Torque wrench adaptor tool assembly and methods of operating the same

Abstract

An adaptor tool comprises a locking pin removably engaged with a main body defining a hook portion. The main body is configured to pivot about a pivot pin. The adaptor tool further includes a first link having first and second ends, and a first contact face. The first link is configured to receive the locking pin. A second link includes first and second ends, and a second contact face. The second link is pivotally coupled to the main body via the pivot pin. At least a third link includes first and second ends, and a third contact face. The first, second, and at least third links are pivotally coupled end-to-end such that the first, second, and third contact faces define a circular opening. The circular opening is configured to receive a workpiece such that rotational force applied to the main body rotates the adaptor tool and the workpiece.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An adaptor tool for engaging a threaded workpiece, said adaptor tool comprising:
 a locking pin; 
 a main body portion defining a hook portion and an aperture, said main body portion configured to pivot about a first pivot pin, said aperture configured to receive a torque tool, said main body portion further including a first arm spaced a distance from a second arm to define a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of said first link and at least a portion of said second link; 
 a first link having a first end, an opposing second end, and a first arcuate contact face, wherein said first end includes a pin hole configured to receive said locking pin, said locking pin configured to be removably engaged to said hook portion; 
 a second link having a first end, an opposing second end, and a second arcuate contact face; wherein said second link first end is pivotally coupled to said main body portion via said first pivot pin; and 
 at least a third link having a first end, an opposing second end, and a third arcuate contact face, wherein said first link, said second link, and said at least a third link are pivotally coupled end-to-end such that said first arcuate contact face, said second arcuate contact face, and said third arcuate contact face define a circular opening having a center axis, wherein said circular opening is configured to receive the threaded workpiece such that a rotational force applied to said main body portion facilitates rotation of said adaptor tool and the threaded workpiece about said center axis. 
 
     
     
       2. The adaptor tool of  claim 1 , wherein said first link second end is pivotally coupled to said third link second end via a second pivot pin and said second link second end is coupled to said third link first end via a third pivot pin. 
     
     
       3. The adaptor tool of  claim 1 , wherein said main body portion further includes a guide surface configured to facilitate engaging said locking pin with said hook portion. 
     
     
       4. The adaptor tool of  claim 1 , wherein said first link further includes opposing exterior surfaces, wherein said locking pin protrudes beyond said opposing exterior surfaces. 
     
     
       5. An adaptor tool for engaging a threaded workpiece, said adaptor tool comprising:
 a locking pin; 
 a main body portion defining a hook portion and an aperture, said main body portion configured to pivot about a first pivot pin, said aperture configured to receive a torque tool; 
 a first link having a first end, an opposing second end, and a first arcuate contact face, wherein said first end includes a pin hole configured to receive said locking pin, said locking pin configured to be removably engaged to said hook portion; 
 a second link having a first end, an opposing second end, and a second arcuate contact face; wherein said second link first end is pivotally coupled to said main body portion via said first pivot pin; and 
 at least a third link having a first end, an opposing second end, and a third arcuate contact face, wherein said first link, said second link, and said at least a third link are pivotally coupled end-to-end such that said first arcuate contact face, said second arcuate contact face, and said third arcuate contact face define a circular opening having a center axis, wherein said circular opening is configured to receive the threaded workpiece such that a rotational force applied to said main body portion facilitates rotation of said adaptor tool and the threaded workpiece about said center axis; 
 wherein said first link, said second link, and said at least a third link are manufactured from a soft metallic material such that each of said first, second, and third contact faces deform to correspond to a plurality of knurls formed in the threaded workpiece to prevent slippage of said adaptor tool about the threaded workpiece. 
 
     
     
       6. The adaptor tool of  claim 1 , wherein said second link further includes a receiving pocket configured to accept at least a portion of said first link when said hook portion engages said locking pin. 
     
     
       7. A system for engaging a threaded workpiece, said system comprising:
 a torque tool; 
 an adaptor tool used in combination with said torque tool, said adaptor tool comprising: 
 a locking pin; 
 a main body portion defining a hook portion and an aperture, said main body portion configured to pivot about a first pivot pin, said aperture configured to receive the torque tool, said main body portion further including a first arm spaced a distance from a second arm to define a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of said first link and at least a portion of said second link; 
 a first link having a first end, an opposing second end, and a first arcuate contact face, wherein said first end includes a pin hole configured to receive said locking pin, said locking pin configured to be removably engaged to said hook portion; 
 a second link having a first end, an opposing second end, and a second arcuate contact face; wherein said second link first end is pivotally coupled to said main body portion via said first pivot pin; and 
 at least a third link having a first end, an opposing second end, and a third arcuate contact face, wherein said first link, said second link, and said at least a third link are pivotally coupled end-to-end such that said first arcuate contact face, said second arcuate contact face, and said third arcuate contact face define a circular opening having a center axis, wherein said circular opening is configured to receive the threaded workpiece such that a rotational force applied to said main body portion facilitates rotation of said adaptor tool and the threaded workpiece about said center axis. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein said first link second end is pivotally coupled to said third link second end via a second pivot pin and said second link second end is coupled to said third link first end via a third pivot pin. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 7 , wherein said main body portion further includes a guide surface configured to facilitate engaging said locking pin with said hook portion. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 7 , wherein said second link further includes a receiving pocket configured to accept at least a portion of said first link when said hook portion engages said locking pin. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 7  further comprising an extension device coupled to said main body, wherein said extension device is used in combination with an offset device having a hole that is coaxial with said center axis, said hole configured to receive said torque tool. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11  wherein said extension device and said offset device are configured such that a rotational force applied to said offset device by said torque tool facilitates rotation of said adaptor tool and the threaded workpiece about said center axis and facilitates obtaining an accurate torque reading. 
     
     
       13. A method of engaging a threaded workpiece, said method comprising:
 providing an adaptor tool comprising:
 a locking pin; 
 a main body portion defining a hook portion and an aperture, wherein the main body portion is configured to pivot about a pivot pin, the main body portion further includes a first arm spaced a distance from a second arm to define a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the first link and at least a portion of the second link when the locking pin is engaged with the hook portion; 
 a first link having a first end, an opposing second end, and a first arcuate contact face, wherein said first end includes a pin hole configured to receive the locking pin; 
 a second link having a first end, an opposing second end, and a second arcuate contact face, wherein said second link first end is pivotally coupled to said main body portion via said pivot pin; 
 at least a third link having a first end, an opposing second end, and a third arcuate contact face, wherein said first link, said second link, and said at least a third link are pivotally coupled end-to-end; 
 
 encircling the first, second, and at least third links around the threaded workpiece such that the first arcuate contact face, second arcuate contact face, and third arcuate contact face define a circular opening which contains the threaded workpiece; 
 removably coupling the locking pin to the hook portion of the main body portion such that the first, second, and at least third links lock around the threaded workpiece; 
 inserting a torque tool into the aperture of the main body portion; and 
 applying a moment force to the main body portion to constrict the opening and bring the first, second, and third arcuate contact faces into a friction fit with the workpiece; and 
 changing the angle of engagement between the hook portion and the locking pin during the application of the moment force to rotate the adaptor tool about a center axis of the opening to facilitate tightening or loosening the threaded workpiece. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  wherein encircling the first, second, and at least third links around the threaded workpiece includes inserting at least a portion of the first link into a receiving pocket of the second link. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13  further comprising directing the locking pin along a guide surface toward the hook portion. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13  wherein applying a moment force to the main body portion includes rotating the main body portion about the pivot pin. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 13 , wherein said first link further includes opposing exterior surfaces, wherein said locking pin protrudes beyond said opposing exterior surfaces.